{"id":7946,"date":"2017-06-24T11:46:43","date_gmt":"2017-06-24T18:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7946"},"modified":"2017-06-23T11:48:50","modified_gmt":"2017-06-23T18:48:50","slug":"cocktail-corner-cheers-to-santo-mezcal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7946","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Cheers to Santo Mezcal!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Santo Mezcal’s Margarita Jamaica, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! \u00a0By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Like its cousin Tequila<\/a>, Mezcal<\/a> is\u00a0made from agave, which, contrary to popular belief, is not a cactus but is actually a relative of the yucca plant and Joshua tree.\u00a0<\/span>While tequila is only be made in the Tequila region (similar to Champagne, vs. sparkling wine labels), Mezcal is usually produced in Oaxaca (it can legally come from anywhere in Mexico) and can be made from many types of agave, some of which only grow wild.<\/p>\n

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Santo Mezcal’s Santo Margarita, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

With a name like Santo Mezcal<\/a>, I was expecting an impressive array of Mezcal cocktails to be available at Carlos Luna<\/a>‘s new restaurant, (119 State St.) and thankfully wasn’t disappointed. The new restaurant combines the modern Mexican flavors we’ve come to know and love at Luna’s Los Agaves<\/a> locations with some more sophisticated menu items and an impressive cocktail program.<\/p>\n

As you enter the restaurant, the sleek bar and a vast Mezcal and Tequila collection take center stage.\u00a0Led by local mixologist Sean Sepulveda<\/a> (of Cadiz<\/a>\u00a0and Nuance, among others), the cocktail menu includes house-made infusions and house-made fresh pressed juices from seasonal Farmer\u2019s Market fruit, as well as beer and wine lists that are predominantly from Santa Barbara County, with standouts from across the globe.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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Santo Mezcal’s Margarita Picante, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

We worked our way through much of the Margarita selection, particularly enjoying the Margarita Jamaica<\/strong>, made with spiced hibiscus syrup, lime, hibiscus flowers and\u2014like much of the cocktail selections\u2014your choice of Mezcal or Tequila. The spicy Margarita Picante<\/strong> was excellent too, as was the Santo Margarita<\/strong>. We also enjoyed La Mermelada<\/strong> (the marmalade), a seasonal cocktail made with your choice of Whiskey or Tequila (we chose Tequila), seasonal jam, lemon, agave nectar, seasonal fruit and mint.<\/p>\n

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Santo Mezcal’s La Mermelada, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

Another really interesting choice is the Snow Pea Smash<\/strong>, with snow pea infused Gin, basil, Benedictine, pineapple, lime, hellfire bitters and micro cilantro. I’m also intrigued by La Flor Ahumada<\/strong> (the smoking flower), made with Mezcal, honey-lavender syrup, lemon and lavender bud, and Senora Rosada<\/strong> (pink lady) with Rum, raspberry gomme, pineapple, lime and Einstock white, powdered\u00a0raspberry. All of the cocktails are in the $10-12 range.<\/p>\n

The food, spearheaded by Executive Chef Ricardo Garcia<\/a>, has a focus on seafood. We loved the\u00a0Camarones Al Mezcal<\/b>, Mexican shrimp served in a creamy mezcal sauce;\u00a0Pulpo a Las Brasas,\u00a0<\/b>octopus marinated in a special adobo served with house-infused chile oil;\u00a0<\/b>and Enchiladas Cabo Azul,\u00a0<\/b>stuffed with fresh crab. My favorite thing was probably the Ahi Tuna Ceviche<\/strong> and Ceviche Pulpo<\/strong>, two beautiful dishes combined into one plate for review purposes, that really highlighted the flavors and spirit of Santo Mezcal and Santa Barbara itself.<\/p>\n

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Santo Mezcal’s Ahi Tuna Ceviche and Ceviche Pulpo, photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

I think this new hot spot at the hub of the ever-evolving Funk Zone and Waterfront area is definitely here to stay.<\/p>\n

Cheers! Click here<\/a> for more Cocktail Corner columns.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Leslie Dinaberg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on June 23, 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

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